Tooth wedge



' Jan. 511926. "1,568,054

G. O. BURLEW TOOTH WEDGE Filed July 18, 1924 A'ITORNEY INYENTOR Patented J 1926.

UNITED STATES GILDEROY O. BURLEW, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

TOOTH WEDGE.

Application filed July 18, 1924. Serial No. 726,664.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GILnEnoY O. BURLEW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State 5 of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tooth Wedges, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in dentistry and more particularly to a wedge for separating adjacent teeth whereby they may be conveniently operated upon, as in filling, cleaning, straightening and the like. One of the objects of the invention is in the provision of a complete and effective wedge to effect tooth separation in a rapid and practical manner with a minimum of discomfort to the patient and labor on part of the operator.

Another purpose is in the provision of simple and inexpensive appliances to aid inobtaining such separation and to retain the teeth in a spaced position for such time period as may be desirable.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the application of the separator and insertion of a wedge forming part of the system.

Figure 2 is a like view illustrating the manner of forcing the wedge into position between adjacent teeth.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the driver.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the separator.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the wedge, drawn to an enlarged scale.

In the drawing the numeral 10 designates a thin sheet metal disc provided with a holder or handle 11 to be firmly grasped by the fingers of one hand in inserting the edge of the disc between two adjacent teeth in the preliminary act of separation.

The disc 10 is preferably made of highly tempered spring steel readily insertible in the crevices between the teeth, to open the space therebetween, permitting the entrance of a wedge 12 below it, the wedge being maneuvered by the other hand of the operator.

The wedges are preferably made of celluloid having two parallel flatsides and tapered from end to end on their opposite sides, one or both of which is channeled its full length, the recess 13 presenting raised gripping edges tending to prevent displacement.

These wedges are inserted so far as possible by one hand while the disc is between the teeth, above the wedge, after withdrawal of the disc, by a metal driver, generally designated by the numeral 14.

The driver may preferably be made of aluminum rod, its shank or handle portion 15 being flattened at one end to present a pad 16 having corrugations on its face to make non-slipping contact with the butt end of. the wedge 12 when the same is to be forced in between the teeth until the desired amount of separation has been obtained.

When the operation has been completed the edge may be readily withdrawn by pliers or forceps applied to the extending end of the wedge.

Although the wedge is relatively hard and suificiently firm to press the teeth apart, it is obvious that it cannot in any way injure the teeth or their enamel, being far softer and measurably compressible in use.

From the foregoing, the several steps will be apparent, namely, the insertion of the disc separator, entry of the wedge while the separator is in place, withdrawal of the separator and forcing the wedge thereafter between the teeth to the desired extent.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a simple device for this purpose has been disclosed in the preferred form of its embodiment, but it is not desired to restrict the details to the exact construction shown, it being obvious that changes, not involving the exercise of invention, may be made without conflicting with the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. As a new article of manufacture, a wedge for separating teeth having a grooved edge to contact with one of the teeth.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a celluloid wedge for separating teeth having a grooved edge to contact with one of the teeth.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a

wedge having a grooved edge adapted to be teeth having a channelled edge providing forced in contact with the teeth, sharp contacting portions adapted to enl. As a new article of manufacture, a gage a tooth to prevent, slipping. 10 celluloid wedge having a grooved contacting This specification signed this 17th day of 5 edge adapted-to be forced betweenthe teeth. July, 1924.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a

wedge adapted to be forced between the GILDEROY O. BURLEW. 

